Gummy Smile Treatment Melbourne

What is a gummy smile?

Simply put, a gummy smile is when excessive gum shows in a smile. A gummy smile is generally considered to be present when more than 3 – 4mm of the gumline is visible when smiling. While there isn’t a precise measurement, this guideline helps dentists and individuals determine if a smile exhibits excessive gum display. 

If you are concerned about the amount of gum showing if your upper lip moves too high when you smile, this can be treated cosmetically with non-invasive procedures.

Enlargement of the gums or gingival hypertrophy is another cause of a gummy smile, and in this case, a dentist should be contacted.

How to fix a gummy smile

Even if genetics are at play, that does not mean gummy smiles are untreatable. There are various options available to fix many causes of a gummy smile.

Orthognathic surgery

If the issue lies in the set of your jaw, you can choose Orthognathic surgery to correct jaw bone irregularities. In the case of a gummy smile, this surgery usually aims to move the upper jaw upwards.

This option can be utilised alongside orthodontics like braces to guarantee a perfect smile. However, this procedure requires a substantial recovery, and is only available after jaw growth has stopped. This service is not offered at the Victorian Cosmetic Institute.

Gum lift

Gum surgery, also known as a gingivectomy, reshapes excess gum tissue with a scalpel or laser. This allows more teeth to be shown as the height of the gum line is reduced. This service is not offered at Victorian Cosmetic Institute.

Non-invasive Gummy Smile Treatments

Non-invasive treatments for a gummy smile are available at Victorian Cosmetic Institute which aim to reduce the amount of lift produced by the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi muscle.

The levator labii superioris alaeque nasi muscle connects the middle corner of the eye to the upper lip and works to lift the upper lip and enables you to snarl. It is often coined the ‘Elvis muscle‘ for this reason.  

The muscle that surrounds the upper lip, the orbicularis oris, may also be treated. This muscle causes the lip to curl in and reduce in height, especially when smiling. Treating this muscle causes it to evert and become thicker, reducing gum show. One side effect of this treatment is the loss of some function of the upper lip and difficulties with using a straw, sipping tea or whistling. This problem is usually short-lived and well-tolerated by most who have the treatment.

This procedure is relatively quick and non-invasive. 

Lip volume

In some cases, treating any volume loss in the lips may improve the appearance of a gummy smile.

Treatment is usually performed on the upper lip to help increase its thickness and better cover the upper gums. 

Who is a suitable candidate for gummy smile treatment?

Generally, anyone who has a gummy smile is suitable for treatment. Unless there is an underlying health issue, or impracticality of the procedure pertaining to your particular smile, treatment should be viable.

If you have any concerns or questions, ask your doctor for more information.

Who cannot get gummy smile injections?

The main reason why you may not be able to get your new smile is the placement of your features before treatment.

One issue is if you have a long distance between your nose and upper lip; also known as a cutaneous lip. Aesthetically this treatment may not be possible as the area will continue to lengthen over time, creating additional aesthetic concerns.

Alternatively, if the middle of your bottom upper lip sits lower than the sides when you smile, treatment may not be suitable. This is because the muscle that lifts the centre of the lip could remain too low when you smile, leading to what’s known as a “joker smile.”

What can I expect during gummy smile treatment?

Here at Victoria Cosmetic Institute, we perform several non-invasive treatments for gummy smile. When it comes to the treatment, the exact treatment method used for the procedure will be determined by your doctor during your initial consultation. Oftentimes a conservative approach will be used for your initial treatment, and further treatment performed if required, to prevent over treatment. 

There may be some bruising or swelling around the treatment sites, but they should disappear within two days to a week. There will be a follow-up treatment needed at some point to maintain the reduction of your gummy smile.

Your doctor will assess the effect of the treatment in your review appointment to determine whether any follow up treatment is required.

Treatment for gummy smile procedure can take anywhere from thirty to sixty minutes to perform, and may take a few weeks to see the results.

FAQs

Is gummy smile treatment painful?

If required, a numbing agent can be used before any procedure, meaning that there should be minimal discomfort during the treatment.

How many treatments will I need?

Gummy smile treatment is not permanent, and will usually take one to two treatments for an optimal outcome. Gummy smile procedures need upkeep, which is determined by how effective the treatment is and how long it lasts on each individual. On average, patients will repeat their gummy smile treatments every 3 to 6 months to maintain their results.

How much does gummy smile treatment cost?

The exact costs depend on which treatment is performed, as well as the number of treatments needed for your gummy smile. A written quote will be provided at your initial consultation detailing the costs and recommended frequency of treatments. Information on consultation fees can be found on our pricing page.

What is the recovery and down time like for gummy smile treatment?

There are several aftercare instructions to follow after a procedure in order to keep your smile healthy. These include:

• Not touching the injection sites for at least six hours
• No lying down for the next four hours
• No makeup for four hours, and no face products containing acids for at least twenty-four hours
• No heavy exercise or massages that day
• Avoiding excess sun and saunas for at least one week

If you follow these instructions, your new smile should maintain its shape with no further issues. If you find the bruising or swelling around the treatment area have not gone down during the time your doctor has estimated, or you are experiencing any significant pain, you should contact your doctor for consultation.

Last updated May 2025